Pensioners have expressed anger and frustration over the delayed payment of their arrears, saying the situation has worsened their hardship and left many struggling to survive.
Pensioners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) told the Federal Government, including President Bola Tinubu, that the delay has deprived them of basic needs such as food, healthcare, and rent.
They revealed that several retirees had died while waiting for their entitlements.
They said the prolonged delay has forced them into poverty.
Mohammed Yusuf, one of the pensioners, said, “Some of us are dying.
We need to enjoy our money before we die.
Just last week, four pensioners died due to hunger, no money for hospital bills, frustration, no money for house rent, and they could not take care of their families.”
The Federal Executive Council approved a ₦758 billion Treasury bond for clearing the arrears in February, and the National Assembly authorised its implementation on July 22.
The grievances were raised in the FCT, where pensioners staged protests and demanded prompt action.
They urged the government to pay the arrears in full, roll out the promised free healthcare programme, and implement the pension increases ordered by the President to ease their hardship.